Learning outcomes of the laboratory sessions

• To develop and enhance your radiographic and patient

management skills through simulated exercises and self and peer‐
evaluation exercises.
• To develop and enhance your understanding of the effect of exposure
factors, image recorder systems and radiographic positioning on the
radiograph.
• To provide an opportunity for you to practise some non‐routine
(non‐walk‐in patient) / “trauma” radiographic techniques.
• To develop and enhance your skills in evaluating phantom and
clinical radiographs.
• To maximise your learning in the laboratory it is expected that you
will have familiarised yourself with the simulated positioning
exercises.

Compiled by Assoc Prof Madeleine Shanahan, University of Canberra │Introduction to the RI lab 2
MRS LABORATORY RULES
GENERAL
The MRS Laboratory will be used to develop pre‐clinical skills and undertake
other medical imaging practicals. The lab is to be thought of a “clinical
environment” and student behaviour must reflect this.
Students MUST obey the directions of supervising staff at all times. Failure to
follow staff directions will result in the student being immediately REMOVED
from the lab and the student will not be given an opportunity to complete any
unfinished lab exercise. That student may also be reported to the Associate
Dean Education of the Faculty of Health for potential misconduct action.
1. Closed in shoes MUST be worn in the lab.
2. Name ID labels MUST be visible and be attached to a clothing item.
3. Eating and drinking are NOT permitted in any area of the lab.
4. Personal items/bags etc. MUST be placed either in the secure lockers in
the lab corridor or in the lab pigeonholes adjacent to the x‐ray rooms.
5. MI student clinical uniforms must be worn for skills assessments.

PERSONAL RADIATION MONITORS (OLSD’S)

1. Students MUST wear their OLSD while in the lab complex.
2. OLSD’s MUST NOT be removed from the lab but MUST be returned to
the storage facility at the end of each practical session.
3. The ONLY time an OLSD is to be removed from the MRS Lab is when
students go on clinical placement.
4. Following clinical placement, students MUST return their OLSD to the lab
in the first week back on campus.
5. OLSD’s are initially provided at no cost to the student. However, if the
OLSD is lost, the student will be charged for a replacement.

X‐RAY ROOMS
1. A maximum of 6 students plus an instructor will be allowed in an x‐ray
room during an x‐ray exposure, if assessed as safe to do so.
2. All personnel in the x‐ray room at the time of exposure MUST be behind
the radiation barrier or, on very rare occasions, UNDER STAFF
DIRECTION, wearing appropriate lead equivalent protective equipment,
e.g. a lead apron and thyroid protector.
3. X‐ray exposures must only be made under the DIRECT SUPERVISION of a
staff member.
Compiled by Assoc Prof Madeleine Shanahan, University of Canberra │Introduction to the RI lab 3
 Radiographic Imaging 1/ 1G Schedule
2022

Compiled by Assoc Prof Madeleine Shanahan, University of Canberra │Introduction to the RI lab 4
Introduction to the RI lab
Preparatory Exercises
These exercises must be completed PRIOR to attending your
scheduled laboratory

Communication
Using AIDET as a framework (see UCLearn – CANVAS site) write cues (what you are
looking out and wanting to achieve at each stage) and a script for chest x‐ray

Acknowledge the patient – also important in this phase to have positive body language –include this in
your response what can you do to demonstrate positive body language

Introduce your self

Duration (time expectation)

Explanation (What is going to happen today)

Also provide an opportunity for the patient to ask a question(s). Which do you think may be a better and Why
“Do you have any questions?” or “What questions do you have for me today?”

Thank the patient and let them know what happens next

Also consider:
How could you check that the patient understands instructions or requirements before, during or after an
examination?

Compiled by Assoc Prof Madeleine Shanahan, University of Canberra │Introduction to the RI lab 5
 Additional Notes:

Identifying the patient

Using the 4 W’s (see UCLearn – CANVAS site how do we reliably identify each patient? ‐
write a script for a 30‐year‐old female patient presenting for a chest x‐ray with a clinical
history “CXR ‐ sudden onset right‐sided chest pain”

As radiography uses ionising radiation, we must also consider the possibility of pregnancy
for this patient.

Where (in the department) would you ask the patient, this type of question?

What information would you give before you ask the patient?

How would you ask the patient? (i.e. what words will you use?) Think about the
difference between e.g. Are you pregnant? Is there any possibility you may be
pregnant?

Compiled by Assoc Prof Madeleine Shanahan, University of Canberra │Introduction to the RI lab 6
Radiographic anatomy – for all body regions and projections covered you must know and
be able to communicate anatomy demonstrated on images as well as develop your skills in
recognising and communicating abnormality.

For anatomical structures make sure you specify

Side, level, structure, aspect (if appropriate e.g. anterior aspect of rib 10)

Label the following

Compiled by Assoc Prof Madeleine Shanahan, University of Canberra │Introduction to the RI lab 7
 Systematic approach – having a systematic approach is fundamental to
radiography. One approach is listed below.

Read the request – what examination / projection(s) do I need to do? Will I need
to make any modifications?

On the console‐ set the exposure factors and select correct IR/ bucky

(Breathe and cross‐check the console settings)

Set up the x‐ray equipment

(Breathe and cross‐check the equipment set‐up and alignments)

Position the patient

(Breathe and cross‐check: the patient position with anatomy requirements, and
CR/ROI and IR are all in correct alignment. Is this set‐up going to work? And will it
produce the requested diagnostic image)

Give patient final instruction(s) – checking to see they understand and will be able
to do as requested

(Breathe)
At the console: final cross‐checks and final instruction to the patient

Reflection:
What do I need to do to be ready for next week’s laboratory on radiography of the
chest?

Compiled by Assoc Prof Madeleine Shanahan, University of Canberra │Introduction to the RI lab 8